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India-China Border: China has maintained a substantial military presence along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with India since the Galwan Valley clash in June 2020. Despite the withdrawal of some troops in some areas, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has not reduced its position or numbers. This has been revealed in the Pentagon report.
“The PLA has not reduced its positions or troop numbers since the 2020 clashes and has built up infrastructure and support facilities to maintain the deployment of multiple brigades along the LAC,” the report said.
More than one lakh soldiers deployed on LAC
The Pentagon’s annual assessment shows that China has deployed about 120,000 troops along the 3,488 km long LAC stretching from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh. In addition to troops, the PLA has deployed heavy weapon systems including tanks, howitzers, surface-to-air missiles and other advanced military equipment. The report further states that more than 20 Combined Arms Brigades (CABs) remain at forward positions in the western, central and eastern sectors of the LAC.
China is firmly established on LAC
The Pentagon report further states that China’s Western Theater Command, which monitors the border with India, is giving priority to the security of its border with India. “In recent years, differing perceptions between India and China about border demarcation have led to numerous skirmishes, mobilization of military forces, and build-up of military infrastructure,” the report said. The source said that despite some CABs returning to base, “most of the troops remain there”, indicating China’s strong presence in the region.
China equipped with more than 600 nuclear weapons
The Pentagon report outlines China’s efforts to modernize its nuclear forces. By mid-2024, China is expected to have more than 600 operational nuclear weapons, with the number expected to exceed 1,000 by 2030. The report highlights the diversification of China’s nuclear arsenal, which includes weapons ranging from low-yield precision strike missiles to multi-megaton intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). “The PLA wants a larger and more diverse nuclear force with a range of systems, ranging from low-yield to low-yield, to give it multiple options on the escalation ladder,” the Pentagon report said.
